SAM4s very soon will be reeasing seven models of new cash registers. The new models have include great features and SAM4s have hit another home run with these new models! The folks over at Cash Register Guys has added some basic information on these new models coming soon.

• SAM4s SPS-320
• SAM4s SPS-340
• SAM4s SPS-345
• SAM4s ER-920
• SAM4s ER-925
• SAM4s ER-940
• SAM4s ER-945

These new cash registers have an option for credit card interface, SD Card to save and load programs, printer choices and much more.

Wireless Kitchen Printers with SAM4s Cash Registers

Yes you can have wireless kitchen printers with SAM4s Cash Registers and Sharp cash registers. Not exactly plug n play but also not difficult to set up. Save time and money when compared to running cable.

Compare the SAM4s SPS-500 series and the Sharp UP-800 series

After the Sharp UP-820F register was released I thought it would kill every other high end cash register. It was ahead of its time and full of features. Turned out I was wrong about that. Not long after the UP series was introduced SAM4s released the SPS-500 series which is made up of the following models

• SAM4s SPS-520F
• SAM4s SPS-520R
• SAM4s SPS-530F
• SAM4s SPS-530R

The release of the SPS-500 series quickly slowed of our sales of the Sharp UP 800 line and we began selling many more of the SPS-500 series. Here are a couple of the features that we like more in the SPS 500 line.

• USB ports
• CF Slot for memory expansion ($75.00 for SAM4s Memmory $400.00 for Sharp)
• Keyboard Port
• SPS 500 series less expensive
• 7.1" Color Touch Screen

The SPS 500 series is the best cash register we have ever seen. This machine series can only be beaten by a more expensive POS system or maybe Sharp is lurking out there with a new model?

Credit Card Terminal for SAM4s Cash Registers

Credit Card interface with cash registers still is a mystery to some people. Not to us as well have integrated hundreds of SAM4s Cash Registers with Credit Card Payments. When you integrate you speed up your line, you make less mistakes, you reduce or eliminate fraud, AND YOU MAKE MORE MONEY!

We are happy to consult with you on interfacing a Credit Card Terminal for SAM4s Cash Registers

Sharp Cash Registers

Sharp continues to make some of the best cashregister on the market today IF YOU BUY THE RIGHT ONES! Sharp makes two lines of cash registers. They make the XE line up which are sold through the big box stores like office depot, costco etc. beware of those machines they are not high quality and you will get zero support. If you bought one take it back and then buy a commercial grade machine from the ER or UP line which are only sold through dealers with a support staff.

Sharp Cash Registers

You will pay more for an ER model or UP model cash cash register but you can get help when your sales tax goes up or you need to add an item. The help may or may not be free but it will be available. We turn away people with XE registers almost every day don't let that happen to you!

Wireless Kitchen Printers

We often are asked about wireless Kitchen Printers and if we reccomend any of them. the answer used to be no but we have recently tested and begun selling a bluetooth adapter that works great with SAM4s Cash Registers and Kitchen Printers. We have not yet tested them on Sharp Cash Registers but I don't see why they would not work as well as the SAM4s registers.

Cost about $250.00 for the adapters plus the cost of the printers. This is often less then the cost of installing cable in a difficult situtaion.

Interface a Scale with your Cash Register

Many Sharp and SAM4s cash registers can interface to electronic scales. When you interface a scale to you cash register you will greatly improve the speed of check out and accuracy at the same time. Two models of scales can weigh in ounces instead of tenths of pounds making it combined with a SAM4s register an exceptional Yogurt Shop Cash Register.

Scales by CAS and Avery Berkel can Interface to SAM4s and Sharp cash registers. Although not all models can be interfaced

Easy to use and low cost cash registers

SAM4s has two new cash registers on the market. Both are entry level and cost effective. Both include the basic cash register features the average business needs. The two models at the SAM4s ER-180 and SAM4s ER-180T cash registers. One uses thermal paper one uses bond and they have some minor differances but are very close in most regards.

SAM4s ER-180T Cash Register

Best Cash Registers for Liquor Stores

There are several good cash registers from SAM4s and Sharp that are great for Liquor stores however one stands out. The SAM4s SPS-520R and SPS-530R both are the best Liquor Store Cash Register on the market today.

With the abilty for a large PLU file, a keyboard port for programming or optional software, SD port for back up and transfers, barcode scanner port and more make this machin the best choice.

Cash Registers and Credit Card Terminals

We often have people asking if they can interface their cash register with credit card terminal and yes you can. Sharp Cash Registers and SAM4s Cash Registers both have many register models that integrate with credit card payments and gift card payments.

When you integrate you can make more money buy speeding up transactions while reducing or eliminating mistakes and increasing security.

Sharp Cash Registers

Sharp makes a great line of commercial grade cash registers. The commercial grade register's model numbers begin with ER or UP. Sharp makes another line called the XE line which is consumer grade and while they have some nice features they are not heavy duty like the ER and UP models.

The ER and UP line includes the following

• Sharp ER-A320 Cash Register
• Sharp ER-A330 Cash Register
• Sharp ER-A410 Cash Register
• Sharp ER-A420 Cash Register
• Sharp ER-A440 Cash Register
• Sharp ER-A450T Cash Register
• Sharp ER-A520 Cash Register
• Sharp ER-A530 Cash Register
• Sharp UP-700 Cash Register
• Sharp UP-820F Cash Register
• Sharp UP-820N Cash Register

Don't forget the XE line are not the same quality as the ER and UP models. Taken care of a good commercial grade cash register should last in a normal busy business about 5 to 7 years of course there are exceptions in both directions!

Sharp ER-A420 Cash Register

If you are looking for a great cash register for a restaurant of any kind then look no further the the Sharp ER-A420 Cash Register. With a large flat keyboard and thermal printers this cash register is built for fast and accurate transactions. Tie up all the loose ends when you add the Interfaced Credit Card and Gift Card. Easy to use and easy to take reports you will love this cash register.

Sharp ER-A420 Cash Register

SAM4s SPS-500 Series Cash Register modification

The SAM4s SPS-500 series cash register system which includes the following models

• SAM4s SPS-520F
• SAM4s SPS-520R
• SAM4s SPS-530F
• SAM4s SPS-530R

Beginning with serial number 101155XXXX, the SAM4s SPS-5X0 series is being produced
with the Model 57 cash drawer instead of the Model 56 Drawer. These Cash Registers can be easily
identified by the “Model 57” stickers on the box and the front of the drawer. The new Model 57
cash drawer provides 5-adjustable coin compartments (instead of 8-coin compartments of the
Model 56 drawer).

What's in a name SAM4s or SAMS Sharp, Sharpe or Sharper?

We hear all the names but let's sort it out!

OK the real name of those great cash registers that used to be named Samsung is SAM4s not SAMS cash registers or anything else. Their models begin with ER, SER, or SPS like the ER-650, the SER-7000 or the SPS-530

Now lets look at the Sharp models. It is just plain old Sharp not Sharpe Cash Registers or Sharper Cash Registers. Models start with XE, ER, or UP however XE is the consumer line NOT the commercial line. STAY AWAY FROM XE MODELS UNLESS YOUR STORE IS SMALL AND YOU DON"T DO MUCH VOLUME!

Sharp ER-A320 Programming

Here is a site that offers How to program Tax on Sharp ER-A320 Cash Register and there are other help guides on this model and other models too.

The Sharp ER-A320 is an awesome work horse of a cash register

Cash Register manuals

Here is a site that has a ton of Cash Register Manuals available for download at no cost. They have quite a few make and models listed

Free Cash Register Manuals

They have other items including programming guides and keyboard templates

Do SAM4s Cash Registers Support Graphic Logos

Yes many SAM4s Cash Registers support Graphic Logos instead of just the standard text logo. You will need  black and white or monochrome artwork and it needs to be pretty small. You will also need an interface cable that does not come with most machines and the utility software which is often free but not often included in the register box.

here is a list of SAM4s models that have this feature

1. SAM4s ER-285M
2. SAM4s ER-380
3. SAM4s ER-380M
4. SAM4s ER-390M
5. SAM4s ER-5200M
6. SAM4s ER-5215M
7. SAM4s ER-5240
8. SAM4s SER-7000
9. SAM4s SER-7040
10. SAM4s SPS-520 FT
11. SAM4s SPS-520 RT
12. SAM4s SPS-530 FT
13. SAM4s SPS-530 RT

By the way anything with an M on the end of the model number indicates that machine has an Integrated Credit Card option however not all machines that interface to credit acrd payments end in an M for example all the 500 series Interface to Credit Card Payments.

SAM4s SPS-500 Series Model Numbers Explained

The SAM4s SPS-500 series has four different modole numbers depending on the style of keybaord and printers. Here is how the model numbers work

• SAM4s SPS-520 FT
• SAM4s SPS-520 RT
• SAM4s SPS-530 FT
• SAM4s SPS-530 RT

The 20 in the model number means that machines features both a receipt and journal printer. If there is a 30 instead in the number then that machine has a single 3 1/8th thermal receipt printer. The FT models have flat keyboards for restaurants and the RT means Retail or raised keyboard better suited for a store that enters prices or UPC's at the register

Tax programming on the SAM4s ER-5215M

I helped someone on the phone yesterday program the tax rate on his SAM4s ER-5215M cash register yesterday. Pretty easy task when you have the programming manual. But here is a quick guide to programming tax on the SAM4s ER-5215M cash register. In this example I'm going to set tax rate 1 at 8.5% in a simple flat rate tax NO GST and NO VAT like most states sales taxes are set up. If in doubt make sure and check with you state department of revenue of the rate and type of sales tax you should be collecting. Check with your own CPA or bookkeeper as well!

OK here goes

1. Key To P (program mode)
2. Enter 8.50000 Press "Tax Shift 1" Press "Cash"

Your done, make sure and turn the key out of P to R and test!

Couple quick notes lets say you wanted to change Tax Rate #2 not 1 then replace "Tax Shift 1" with the "Tax Shift 2" button if Tax 3 then use Tax Shift 3, if tax 4 then use Tax shift 4. Pretty easy huh!

If you tax was 8% your first entry would be 8.00000 or 9.25% it would have been 9.25000 again pretty easy huh!

Keep in mind THIS DOES NOT MAKE A DEPARTMENT OR PLUS TAXABLE IT SIMPLY SETS THE RATE. You must program the tax status of a group or PLU to make it taxable or not and that is a different post!

Thanks

Cash Register Keyboard Covers

Most cash registers will benefit from a keyboard cover. In some case with the flat keyboard micro motion keyboards they have to have a good keyboard cover.

keyboard covers are form fitting plastic or silicone covers that go over your keyboard or like the above mentioned restaurant style cash registers are part of the register.

These covers keep out liquid and dust and can prolong the life of your register. Nothing can make your cash register water proof but these covers really help.

Most range from $20.00 to $60.00 for some rare models. Several places offer them online at great prices.

Sharp Cash Register Keyboard Covers
SAM4s Cash Register Keyboard Covers

IR-90/91 Ink Roller for Cash Registers



IR-90/91 Ink Roller For Cash Registers

The IR-90/91 works in many cash registers of different makes. Here is a list of a few

• Sharp ER-A320 Ink Roller
• Sharp ER-A330 Ink Roller
• Sharp ER-A310 Ink Roller
• Sharp ER-2386S Ink Roller

Great new entry level SAM4s Cash Registers

SAM4s ER-180T Cash Register

If you are looking for a new cash register but you just want a simple multi department register that charges tax, computes change, has a few PLU's and give you a report at the end of the day and again at the end of the month then you should look at the SAM4s ER-180 and the SAM4s ER-180T both great machines and very affordable. While there are a few little differances between the two the major differances between the two is one uses a thermal paper printer and the other an impact.

SAM4s is the only register company out there coming out with new models and features while the others seem to be shrinking back and not doing much.

Taxable discounts on a cash register?

Common question we get on Sharp Cash Registers and SAM4s Cash Registers is how to make the total sales taxable after the discount. So as an example the business owner wants the cash register to charge sales tax after a discount like this $10.00 sale with a 10% discount and you want to tax $9.00 not $10.00

So you program the discount key to be taxable YES TAXABLE that was it reverses the tax that would have been charged. So if you have a 10% tax the sales tax on $10.00 would be $1.00 but you apply a discount of 10% that is taxable the discount will be $1.10 so your gross sale will be $9.90

Hope that helps! Works the same rather discount is based on percentage or dollar amount.

What is the differance between a SAM4s ER-5200M and an ER-5200?

The answer is not much! The M version was released a few years after and replaced the ER-5200. The reason being is that Cash Register and Credit Card interface was really taking off at that time and SAM4s replaced several models with the "M" version that allowed integrated credit card.

The register is the same cabinet, keyboard,  and drawer. The display is different because the "M" version has a 2nd line to accomadate credit interface. The printer is also different and the "M" version uses dual thermal printers of 2.25" in size. I think with the exception of the interfaced payment functions the machine operates and reports exactly the same and you could even use the same manual regardless of model.

Both great machines and the M version has been a great seller over the years. Couple places to get them

SAM4s ER-5200M Cash Register
SAM4s ER5200M Cash Register

Programming the SAM4s ER-5200M Cash Register

The ER-5200M is a great register that is pretty easy to program. Following is some help on programming the tax rates for this register.

Straight Percentage Tax Rate Programming


When tax requirements may be met using a straight percentage rate, use the following method to
program a tax as a straight percentage.

Programming Straight Percentage Tax Rates and Status

1. Turn the control lock to the P position.

2. If the tax is a percentage rate, with a decimal. (0.000-99.999). It is not necessary to
enter preceding zeros. For example, for 6%, enter 06.000 or 6.000.

3. For the type of tax:
If the tax is a percentage added to the sale (normal add on tax), enter: 0
If the tax is a percentage value added tax (VAT; calculated as part of the
sale), enter:2

4. Enter 0 here for all taxes, unless if you are programming tax 4 as a Canadian GST. If tax
4 is a Canadian GST, enter the sum of the options below:

OPTION VALUE = SUM

GST (tax 4) is taxable by rate 1? Yes = 1 No = 0

GST (tax 4) is taxable by rate 2? Yes = 2 No = 0

GST (tax 4) is taxable by rate 3? Yes = 4 No = 0

5. Press the Tax Shift key for the tax you are programming.

6. Press the CASH key to end programming.

Below is an example of a tax rate of 8.8% NON GST regular sales tax rate

Programming Chart  8.80000

The last two zeros are the answer to Steps 3 and 4

I think the manual is posted here for the ER5200M


                                          

Do you need a cash register manual

We get a ton of questions from people looking for cash register manuals. First off if you cash register is older the 8 years it is very un-likely there is a downloadable manual avauilable on-line. I know of registers still on the market today that does not have a downloadable manual available.

There is a site that offers free downloads for Cash Register manuals and they have quite a few available and other tools like keyboard templates and programming guides and tips.

Cash Registers still on the Market

I have been in the Cash Register Business for a very long time and have seen quite a few companies come and go. So here is the information I have about Cash Register Companies still in the USA and doing well and companies that as far as I know are no longer around at least in the USA. (Again this is the best of my knowledge and I could be wrong)

• Sharp Cash Registers - Still doing well and introducing new models. I don't think they have nearly as many dealers as they once had.
• SAM4s Cash Registers. - Doing great and I would consider them the Market Leader in the USA
• Sweda - Long gone as far as I know.
• Omron - Pretty sure they stopped selling Cash Registers in North America
• Sanyo - I think about 15 years ago they stopped selling Cash Registers in North America. They may still be selling in other parts of the world.
• TEC - Still selling in the US although I doubt for much longer but I could be wrong!
• Uniwell - I think they still have a limited presence in the US and Canada
• Datasym - Still around although I think a shadow of their former selves.
• Royal - I think they are still pumping out entry level low cost registers through mass merchandisers.
• Swintec - I think they are still around
• Casio - Still here for sure but I don't think they are a big player any more however they are also into the mass merchandiser marketing which real dealers do not like.
• NCR - The original Cash Register Company I could be wrong and I know they are a huge player in High End Computers and the High End POS world but I don't think they make Cash Registers any longer for the traditional market place.
• JCM Gold - I think that they are still out there but not positive. I would think twice about buying one!
• TOWA - Long Gone as far as I know
• TCA - Pretty sure they left the market 20+ years ago
• MKD - RIP

Now this is not to say that there are not supplies still available because in most cases I think there is. Again don't take my word as Gospel on these companies this is just what I pick up from being in the industry and getting calls from people that own some of these older machines.

What are the top cash registers of 2011

In 2011 I think SAM4s and Sharp Cash Registers will be the leaders of the pack much like 2010. Between the two I think SAM4s has the lead as being the best when you take Cost, Features, and options into account. SAM4s seems to be more agressive in bring new models and features to market. And just like 2010 in 2011 the best places to buy your new cash register remains the same

• SAM4s Cash Registers
• Sharp Cash Registers

Please check back as I envsion some new models being released this year. Maybe not from Sharp but I expect big things from SAM4s again this year

Did your sales tax go up in 2011 and you need to reprogram your cash register

Many areas saw there sales tax increase with the start of the new year. Do you need to reprogram the sales tax of your cash register? Bet you don't remeber how huh? Is you local register dealer out of biz? Well the good news is there are several sites avaialble to help. Some help is free some is not. Should you require direct help over the phone the market price seems to be around $50.00 to have someone walk you through setting the tax rates on your cash register over the phone. Price is about $200.00 if someone needs to come on site and do the job.

Here are a couple resources that offer free manuals and even have some free programming help listed as well.

• Cash Register Programming Help
• SAM4s Cash Register Programming and Service

If you need more then downloads and self help info and require some help over the phone then try

• Cash Registers

Don't forget to bookmark these sites or take good notes as it is not the last time your will need to increase the sales tax rate!

Interface your Cash Register and Credit Card Payments

Datacap makes devices that allow your cash register to talk directly to your credit card processor removing the need for your manual entry credit card machine. When you interface your cash register directly to credit card processing you will speed up transactions,  reduce errors, reduce fraud and make more money. Here are a couple places that have the Datcap devices. The first one offer the Datacap Twin Tran with SAM4s and Sharp cash registers and the second one also offers Datacap Modems that interface with credit card sand gift cards

Cash Register Credit Card Interface

Best Place to buy a SAM4s Cash Register

You should really buy your SAM4s Cash Register from an official dealer not just a mass merchandiser on the web. There are several good discount dealers on the internet that deal in cash registers and can offer support. You may or may not have to pay for that support but it is available. When you buy from some ACME internet reseller they may not know a cash register from a candle stick! If in doubt call the reseller and talk to them. Do they know about the cash register you want to buy? Is their business selling cash registers? Can they provide support?

Two places I know of that are great places to buy from are

• Discount SAM4s Cash Registers
• Wholesale to the Public SAM4s Cash Registers

Both resellers have the entire line of SAM4s registers and can support each one of them as well as repair and offer supplies. These resellers can also offer Valus Added items like Cash Register Credit Card interface, Kitchen Printers, Kitchen Video and more.

Some SAM4s Cash Register include free programming Software

Some SAM4s Cash Register models have a FREE Programming Software Tool available for download. The free software will allow you to program and store the program of your cash register. You will still need to buy a cable (or make your own) to plug the cash register into the computer.

Free software is available on the following models:

• SAM4s ER-650 Cash Register
• SAM4s ER-650R Cash Register
• SAM4s ER-5215M Cash Register
• SAM4s ER-5240M Cash Register
• SAM4s ER-5200M Cash Register

Free software does not take reports or include free support however support is available on a pay as needed basis.

Features and Funtions limits for the SPS 530F and 520F

SAM4s Cash Registers Model SPS 520F and SPS 530F Functions


Often we get asked about the limits of the SPS 520F or SPS 530F. Keep in mind that to max out UPC’s or PLU’s you have to have the max allowed optional memory. Even with the max memory we still could not tell you how many UPC’s or Guest Checks you could have because the memory is shared much like a computer. A computer’s hard drive is sized by GB not how many items it can hold this cash register (like most) is the same. However with the maximum memory installed this machine can have a lot of UPC’s andPLUS and guest checks.

According to the factory with maximum memory installed you can have up to: (Remember it is shared so it does not mean you can have the max of each but rather what the max is of each if enough memory!)

• Up to 60,000 PLUs*
• Up to 999 Clerks*
• Up to 99 Groups*
• Up to 9,999 PLU Status Groups*
• Up to 200 Key Link Menu Screens*
• Up to 32 Registers per Network*
• Up to 4 Hard/Soft Check Files*

* With Optional Expanded Memory

It is worth mentioning that the memory and features for the SAM4s SPS-520F and 530F are exactly the same as the SAM4s SPS-530R and 520R registers. The only differance is the F models have flat keyboards and the R models are raised!